Kazakhstan Denies Knowledge of Citizens Fighting as Mercenaries in Ukraine

Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry is unaware of any Kazakhstani citizens fighting as mercenaries in Ukraine, First Deputy Minister Akan Rakhmetulin announced. This statement comes in response to a Ukrainian government project that published a list of 661 Kazakh citizens allegedly participating in the war on Russia's side. "We have no information," Rakhmetulin stated, adding that there has been no official communication with Ukraine on this matter. The Ukrainian list, released in April, also noted that at least 78 of those listed had died by the end of 2024. Rakhmetulin's statement underscores the lack of official confirmation and the challenges in verifying such information. Mercenary activity is a serious crime in Kazakhstan, carrying a significant prison sentence.